So is it true as many as 5% of Peruvian Pasos have DSLD? Perhaps that's where the idea they have dropped fetlocks comes from?

I'm sure that's where the dropped fetlocks comments are coming from. I like to deal in facts, and the facts about dsld are:

Nobody really knows what dsld is. There are a lot of self-proclaimed "experts" out there who claim it's a genetic disease. Research has been underway for years. And I want to make it very, very clear that the lion's share of the funding for the research has been provided by Peruvian breeders.

Research thus far has not discovered a gene - so there is no genetic test for dsld - nor has the research even revealed a genetic mode of inheritance. The condition doesn't seem to follow either a dominant or recessive mode of inheritance. To me that's really interesting. Usually one of the first things researchers discover about genetic diseases is the mode of inheritance. HYPP was shown to follow a dominant mode of inheritance even before the gene was discoverd. SIDS in Arabs was a known recessive trait years before the gene that causes it was discovered.

As far as percentages are concerned, one of the frustrating things about having Peruvian Horses is the number of vets who have heard the stories and who just assume any lame Peruvian has DSLD. I've run into those types myself. Sometimes it's hard to even get them to do an exam. I honestly think there have been many, many Peruvian Horses that have been "written off" by vets (and owners) who believe the stories and just figure the horse has dsld without ever getting a real diagnosis.

As far as the little horse this post was originally about (and he's a cutie!) a couple of things point to "Peruvian" - the fact that he's hot and that he doesn't like puddles. NONE of my horses will walk through a puddle... not if there's a way to go around it. A couple of other things are definitely not Peruvian - his tailset is way too high and his withers are prominent. As a rule Peruvians don't have prominent withers.

Yup! You got your self a gorgeous Paso Fino there!
I know quite a bit about their conformation and what to look for.
Hes small, has a nice head and neck and that mane just gives everything away. Hes a total paso :3 I love the breed, their so cute and great work horses.

Your horse does look and sound, very 'pasoish'. However, some things about him, do make me think he might be a paso cross. His body type is different from a PF or PP. His head looks like many Paso type heads though. Does your horse appear to gait at all?

Here's a not very clear pic, of my old Peruvian Paso mare. You can maybe see some resemblance.

Thankyou Xlntperuvian! For explaining our Peruvian Horses leg conformation... I do Distance Riding with my beautifully strong Peruvian Mare, putting on 20 miles 3 times a week and much more on the weekends. My Mare, Esperanza, remains Strong, sound and a very willing "Trail Partner" She just turned 10. I get so tired of explaining to people how and why they move like they do.... I also get tired of explaining the difference between the Paso Fino Horse and the Peruvian Horse..... But thats a different story.. When I ride in all breed shows or trail rides I get the "Looks" and then the whispers.... I'm sure your familiar with those!! LoL! Anyway, good reply. Last but not least... I don't care what a person rides as long as they RIDE.... Happy Trails!

Your horse is nearly a twin for my registered Paso Fiino mare. She's bay, no chrome, small star. My mare has a bit more hip & butt & she's over 20. She didn't gait on the test rides, but once I got her home & we hit the open road she gaited quite a bit. I often rode w/other gaited horses. Now, I ride w/Qtrs, rabs & other grade non-gaited horses. We mostly walk, some trot & some canter. Her gait has not been used much in the last 4 months-I need to work w/her on this.

He is a nice looking horse and looks a lot like my paso girl but her neck is heavier. Nice guy regardless. Paso gaits range from the tight show horse fino to a longer strided corto or even longer, the largo. Some do a troche which is toward the trot side of the gait spectrum instead of being an even 4 beat.

I agree with the Peruvian fan. They are a fantastic breed of horse. No leg problems in my 24 y/o or in my two 20 y/o. Great consistant gait, up or down, slow or faster that is strongly bred in. You don't have to ride them a special way or use a special bit or saddle. They gait just as well bareback in a halter as they do rigged up for a show.

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